Stewart Report from 2-23-2010
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The Stewart Report
Your
Weekly Report from Jerry Stewart
"In Defense Of Liberty"
By Jerry Stewart
I believe that there has never been a time
in our history when we have been closer to
losing our nation. What do I mean by that?
Oh, the land will always be here, the
buildings, the houses, the roads, the
schools, but the heart of America, what our
founding fathers fought and suffered and
died for, we are so close to losing it all.
And, interestingly enough, this idea of
saving, of preserving our America, is one
thing that our founding fathers spent so
much time and effort to warn us about.
On August 14, 1765, a group of men calling
themselves the "Sons of Liberty" gathered in
Boston under a large elm tree at the corner
of Essex Street and Orange Street to protest
the newly enacted Stamp Act. The tree had
become a rallying point, a meeting place for
the growing resistance to the rule of
Britain over the American colonies. The Sons
of Liberty concluded that protest by
lynching two tax collectors in effigy from
that elm tree. From that day forward, that
tree became known as the "Liberty Tree." It
was decorated with banners and lanterns.
Assemblies were regularly held under it to
express views and to vent emotions. A
flagstaff was raised within the Tree's
branches and when a yellow marker was placed
there it was a sign that the Sons of Liberty
were to meet.
When the news of the Liberty Tree spread
throughout the colonies, local patriots in
each of the 13 colonies formed their own
“Sons of Liberty” group and they would
identify a large tree or erected a pole to
be used as their own meeting place.
Now, in those times, holding an unauthorized
assembly was dangerous – it carried with it
threats of imprisonment or death - but it
did not stop those wanting liberty from
meeting under that tree – it would not stop
the people in their quest for liberty.
So in those years leading up to the
Revolutionary War, the British made the
Liberty Tree an object of ridicule. British
soldiers even tarred and feathered one man,
and forced him to march in front of the
tree. They did this to frighten the people
away, to stop their efforts, but the people
would not stop in their quest for liberty.
Finally, in 1775, a group of British
loyalists cut down that tree and the
patriots were given an ultimatum – stop
their rebellion or else - but the people
would not stop in their quest for liberty.
And their liberty? They fought – they paid
the price - they won – there was liberty.
I recently read some pieces written by
Thomas Jefferson all the way back then, and
what he said about liberty, the defense of
liberty is prophetic.
In defense of liberty Thomas Jefferson said:
“I predict future happiness for
Americans if they can prevent the government
from wasting the labors of the people under
the pretense of taking care of them.”
In defense of liberty Thomas Jefferson said:
“This democracy will cease to exist
when you take away from those who are
willing to work and give to those who are
not.”
In defense of liberty Thomas Jefferson said:
“My reading of history convinces me
that most bad government results from too
much government.”
In defense of liberty Thomas Jefferson said:
“To compel a man to subsidize with his
taxes the propagation of ideas which he
disbelieves and abhors is both sinful and
tyrannical.”
In defense of liberty Thomas Jefferson said:
“The strongest reason for the people
to retain the right to keep and bear arms
is, as a last resort, to protect themselves
against tyranny in their government.”
Today, this day, let us all understand that
there is a price to pay for liberty. Let
each of us find our own Liberty Tree, here
now, and realize that anything truly worth
having comes with it a price.
Are you willing to stand beside others,
under the tree of liberty and fight in
defense of liberty?
Thomas Jefferson was clear. He said:
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed
from time to time with the blood of patriots
and tyrants."
Let us pray for peace, let us pray for
solutions, let us pray for liberty.
May God bless you, and may God bless
America.
Jerry Stewart
P.S. email me with your own thoughts and ideas
regarding our America at
stewartreport@onemomentinamerica.com
JS
This week's Stewart Report has been sponsored
by:
Moving &
Storage Solutions
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Quote of the Week
"He has sounded forth a trumpet
and shall never call retreat. He is sifting out the
hearts of men before his judgment seat. Oh be quick my
soul to answer Him, be jubilant my feet, our God is
marching on!"
-Harriet Beecher Stowe
(4th verse "Battle Hymn of the Republic")-
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Audio Clip
for the Week
"What
You Do Today Matters - Forever"
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Short Story
“Being A
True Patriot”
There’s this word, patriot—it’s a fairly popular
word to use this day and it generally has to do
with the love of country - if you love and
support America, you are a patriot. But,
actually, being a true patriot is not that
simple. It was Mark Twain who said this, “In the
beginning of change, the patriot is a scarce
man, and brave, and hated, and scorned. But when
his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for it
then costs nothing to be a patriot.” Waiting for
someone else to act? Waiting for someone else to
do something—to do the right thing for America?
No room, no time, for timid souls today—only
true patriots.
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